Do you like to exercise? What's your favorite way to break a sweat? Do you prefer playing a team sport, like volleyball or baseball? Or do you like to run for miles and miles all by yourself? Maybe you would rather lift weights or do push-ups or sit-ups!

You know that exercise is good for your body. It helps your muscles grow stronger. It can also help keep your heart and other important organs in tip-top shape. But can it make you smarter?

Maybe! The work you do at school every day is like exercise for your brain. Learning and thinking definitely help you become smarter. But how can physicalexercise help?

Researchers have learned that exercise can play a role in improving learning and memory. Basically, exercising can help you do what you do — whatever it is — better. More studies are needed, though, to determine exactly how exercise helps the brain function at its best.

Some researchers have ideas for how exercise might help, though. For example, scientists point out that exercise stimulates the body's nervoussystem, causing it to release chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine that make us feel happy and calm.

This helps to explain why many people feel more alive and alert after exercising. And if you feel better, you can think more clearly and concentrate better. Overall, you can function at a higher level after exercise.

Others point to studies that show that exercise can stimulate the growth of new brain cells. As your brain gets bigger, the areas associated with memory and learning get bigger and overall brain function improves.

So how much exercise do you need to help your brain function at its best? Experts believe that as little as 15-30 minutes per day three times a week may be enough to improve brain performance. Thirty to sixty minutes per day four to five times a week is even better.

As with all exercise, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Exercise is good for your body in so many ways, so incorporate as much exercise as you can into your daily or weekly routine. Just take it easy starting out until your body adjusts to getting more exercise.

Wonder What's Next?

Try It Out

Ready to get smarter? That's right. It's time to put to work what you learned in today's Wonder. Find an energetic friend or family member to help you explore one or more of the following activities:

Ready to get some exercise? Great! But first, we want you to sit down. Sit down? That's not much exercise! Before you start doing jumping jacks before a test, we want you to sit down with your parents and think of ways you can make exercise a regular part of your daily or weekly routine. A few sit-ups before a test aren't going to help you get a better grade. You need to incorporate regular exercise into your lifestyle. To do that, you need help from your friends and family members. Figure out what types of exercise you enjoy. Look at your schedule and see when and how often you can incorporate your favorite physical activities into your daily routine. Once you have an idea of what you would like to do and when you can do it, get up and do it! Not only will increased physical exercise help you become healthier, you just might become smarter, too!

Will exercise help with your brain function? Test it and see! First, figure out what your grades are in class right now. Or you could also use some other sort of benchmark, such as homework scores, a standardized test, math fact memorization, or any sort of test you want to use. Figure out a regular exercise plan and get started on it. Monitor your progress over several weeks' time. In about a month or so, measure your academic progress on whatever benchmark you chose. Do you see improvement? If so, how much? Could some of your progress be attributed to exercise? What conclusions can you draw?

As you learned in today's Wonder of the Day, one of the body's chemicals that help your mood and ability to relax is serotonin. Read through Foods & Activities to Raise Serotonin and discuss it with a friend or family member. Make a list of the foods you normally eat that fall into the categories that help to raise serotonin. What other dietary changes could you make to improve your serotonin levels? What foods might you want to avoid?

Emily

Wonderopolis

May 3, 2013

Thanks for telling us how you're feeling, Emily! It's so WONDERful to hear! Keep up the great work, Wonder Friend! We hope you have a great weekend, and we bet you'll feel great after exercising your brain! :)

Kim

Wonderopolis

Apr 30, 2013

Those are all great ways to exercise, Kim, and we're glad you enjoy running! We've got a few Wonders for you to enjoy:
Wonder #917-- What is Yoga? http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-yoga/
Wonder #876-- Why Do Athletes Stretch Before They Work Out? http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-athletes-stretch-before-they-work-out/ :)

Aliyah

Apr 22, 2013

That you for letting us know that exercising is a good way to help us in school and it also exercises our brain. Can you talk to our teachers and ask them if they can add in some time to do ecxercises before class starts so that we can have an exercised brain ready for class? Can you also ask them if we can get a ball as a chair because the regular chairs makes it really hard to stay still because then we can't find a comfortable spot becuase when we do our bottoms go numb.

Wonderopolis

Apr 22, 2013

You are oh-so-welcome, Wonder Friend Aliyah! We hope you'll find a way to fit in some exercise before you study! If you can't stretch or get your body movin' in class, perhaps you can take a jog before you do your homework? Or yoga before you start studying? :)

Stephanie

Wonderopolis

Apr 20, 2013

Hey Stephanie, we're glad you've been thinking about how you can exercise to keep your mind sharp! Sometimes exercise can make us tired, but after awhile, exercise can give us more energy! It's a great way to help us concentrate, too! :)

Wonderopolis

joustergirl72

Apr 16, 2013

I think that this is an interesting wonder. I like how you talked about the chemical serotonin. It's true that not everyone is exercising, and that makes a double threat on your brain, one you're just staring at the tv and two exercise releases serotonin and makes you smarter.

Wonderopolis

Apr 16, 2013

Hey there, Joustergirl72! You did a fantastic job of summarizing what you learned in our working out Wonder! Thanks for being a great Wonder Friend and telling us all about what you know about exercise and a healthy lifestyle! Keep up the great, and healthy, work! :)

alex

Wonderopolis

Berkleigh

Apr 15, 2013

Hi, again! Yes, I have done snow angels before. Today I did do one while I was out sledding. I had a lot of excersise, like me and my sister Blakeleigh and my brother Blaze shoveled a neighbor's driveway to be nice because we had seen her trying to go up her driveway and it would not go, but she did get up eventually. she was so happy when she saw what we had done for her. It was fun! I got good excersise today. :) ;)

Wonderopolis

Apr 16, 2013

We are so proud of you, Berkleigh... and we're proud of Blakeleigh and Blaze, too! It makes us smile to know that you helped your neighbor and you had a great time doing that, too! What a fun way to help others, and you got some exercise in, too! Phew, you must be exhausted after all that hard work! :)

jaya parker

Wonderopolis

Apr 16, 2013

Hey there, Jaya, thanks for sharing your comment! We are so proud of you for guessing- so very close indeed! :) We are excited to hear that you've been using your awesome skills of comparing and contrasting as you Wonder! We LOVE the library, and we hope you'll visit the library soon! After all, it's National Library Week! :)

Isabel

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Thanks for visiting us today, Isabel! We are so excited that you enjoyed today's workout Wonder! We have to remember to exercise our muscles, including our brains! We appreciate your comment and look forward to WONDERing with you soon! :)

Emma

Wonderopolis

Zoie

Apr 15, 2013

The wonder of the day was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It made me do push ups while doing homework! It actually worked! I got EVERYTHING right on all 3 assignments (spelling, reading, and math) plus a book report!

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

WOW, Zoie, we are glad you have been testing out our exercise Wonder today! You've been exercising your body and your awesome mind! GREAT WORK! :) We are thrilled to hear that you did a SUPER job on all three of your assignments, and your book report, too! We're sending you virtual high fives, Zoie! :)

Emma

Apr 15, 2013

Dear wonderopolis, in gym we have been doing the fitness tests we do chin ups, the flex arm hand, sit ups, and run 4 laps and walk one lap. And I do gymnastics. Is gymnastics
exercise too??????????? Please respond. :) :) :) :) Your wonderopolis friend, Emma

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Hey there, Emma! You've done a SUPER job of sharing your comment with us today- thank you! It sounds like you've been doing a great deal of physical exercise! GOOD FOR YOU! :)
Gymnastics is certainly a form of exercise! Make sure you're stretching and drinking lots of water, too! :)

Ms. Kraemer's Group 2

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

WOW, what a SUPER question, Ms. Kraemer's Group 2! We're so excited that you've been using your Wonder brains today! Commercials, and advertisements of all sorts, often feature awesome things at specific times to specific groups of people. These groups of people are often known as the audience, or target, in the advertising world. We have learned about certain words like entice, intrigue and interest... these are ways commercials help up want or need something (even if we don't really need it). You can Wonder about political campaigns with us here: Wonder #571-- Should you believe everything you hear? http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/should-you-believe-everything-you-hear/ :)

Berkleigh

Apr 15, 2013

Hi! I liked today's wonder! I like to do a lot of different exercises, like walking my family's beagle, Bella, running, doing push ups, and lifting heavy things. My Favorites are biking, walking Bella, and lifting heavy things. I wanted to get outside and do some stuff like walking Bella and riding my bike, but unfortunatley, it snowed 5 inches last night and it is still snowing. Maybe I could go sledding with my brothers and sisters because near this neighborhood there is really good hills that are perfect for sledding. Thank you for today's wonder! ;) :)

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Hello, Wonder Friend Berkleigh! It is GREAT to hear from you again! We are super excited that you liked today's Wonder! It sounds to us like you exercise a LOT! Your beagle, Bella, must be really happy that you take her on so many walks! :) We hope you have a great time playing and exercising in the snow, today! We Wonder if you have ever made a snow angel? Wonder on! :)

Ms. G's Class

Apr 15, 2013

Hello!
We liked today's wonder of the day. We think that exercising will help our brains get better at thinking! It's good to exercise because it helps your body. Today's wonder of the day really blew our minds!
How can your body make the chemical that helps your brain keep going when you do exercise?
We think tomorrow's wonder of the day is going to be about soccer or kicking!
Love,
Ms. G's Class

Mrs. Sheridan

Mrs. Sheridan

Apr 15, 2013

Todays wonder of the day was interesting! Did you know that it's really better to get moving while learning? It gets the kid's attention, and they have fun while they learn from the activity!
I exercise every day! I usually ride my bike for an hour, or run around the house a few times. I do every day of the the year! Well, it was great wondering with you today! See you all wondering tomorrow!

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Great comment, Wonder Friend! It sounds like you really do love to exercise! Since you said that you like to run, you ought to check out this past Wonder about running! See you again, soon! :)
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-many-ways-can-you-run/

Meghan

Apr 15, 2013

Thoughts: I thought the video was very funny when the caveman showed up.
Connection: I swim, play, and exercise.Also I learned today that those things can help my brain.
Prediction: Do you know how to do Karate?

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Good afternoon, Wonder Friend Meghan! We are so glad you shared your thoughts, connections and predictions with us today! We WONDER what kind of exercise you like the best?! Swimming? Dancing? Doing cartwheels? Thanks for hanging out with us today! See you soon! :)

shaviyana

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Hello, Wonder Friend Shaviyana! We are super excited that you liked today's Wonder so much! We think it is so cool that you can apply things that you've learned in the past to things you are currently reading! What an awesome skill! You are correct--many researchers do say that exercise can have a positive affect on memory! Thanks for WONDERing with us today! :)

angel

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Hey there, Angel! We are sorry that you did not prefer today's Wonder! What are your FAVORITE Wonders from the past? What would you be excited to learn about on Wonderopolis? Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us today, Wonder Friend! See you again soon! :)

Wonderopolis

Mrs. Spaulding's Reading Class

Apr 15, 2013

Kai- How much smarter would you say your brain becomes every mile you run?
Hampton- I think the next Wonderopolis will be about eyeballs.
Colin- The weirdest part of the video was when the guy was bouncing around, spilling his beverage everywhere.
Alex- Which helps us more--exercise or eating mints during our state test?
Ella- I think the next wonder will be about why platypuses sweat milk.

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Good Afternoon, Mrs. Spaulding's class! We are SO excited that you shared your thoughts, predictions and questions about exercise with your friends here at Wonderopolis, today!
Kai and Alex- We can tell that you are really using those WONDER-skills to come up with some really AWESOME questions! Great job!
Hampton and Ella- Your predictions are SO creative! We can't WAIT to share tomorrow's Wonder with all of you!
Collin- We completely agree! That was a silly part of the video! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
We hope that you have a WONDERful day! See you again soon! :)

Max!!!

Apr 15, 2013

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When I grow up, I want to work on a treadmill and a bouncy ball at the same time!!! :D :D
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I Wonder what's next???
We believe you’ll think tomorrow’s Wonder Of The Day is a real kick!!!
Hmm... Maybe soccer or comedy!!! :D :D
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See you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :P
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Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Hey there, Max! Your enthusiasm is CONTAGIOUS!!! We think your idea to work on a bouncy ball or a treadmill would be crazy-fun! We are so glad that you are sharing your thoughts and predictions with us on Wonderopolis today! See you tomorrow! :)

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Hey there, Wonder Friend Froggy 1! We are so glad that you had conversations with your classmates about FUN ways to exercise! We truly enjoyed hearing your predictions about tomorrow's Wonder! See you tomorrow! :)

Maddy

Apr 15, 2013

Dear Wonderopolis,
I think today's wonder was really interesting! My favorite way to work out is to play soccer, gymnastics and dance. I think exercising is important because if you don't exercise you could get very sick. I did not know that school was like exercise for your brain! I think tomorrow's wonder will be about soccer. :)
From, Maddy

Wonderopolis

Alexa

Apr 15, 2013

Dear Wonderopolis,
I think it's cool that exercising might be able to make you smarter. I love to exercise. My favorite way to break a sweat is by dancing. I think tomorrow's wonder will be about soccer or football.
P.S.
My video wouldnt load so i did'nt get to watch it :(
Your Wonder Friend,
Alexa

Wonderopolis

Karsen

Apr 15, 2013

Dear Wonderopolis,
My favorite way to break a sweat is by playing sports. The two sports I play are soccer and hockey. I think exercising is fun to do because there are so many ways to do it. I think it's cool that work at school is like exercise for your brain.
I think tomorrow's wonder will be about soccer:)
P.S
My video did not load so I didn't get a chance to watch it.
Your Wonder Friend, Karsen

Mrs. Hopping's Class

Wonderopolis

Apr 15, 2013

Those are great Wonders, Mrs. Hopping's Class! More recesses would certainly be fun, but I'm sure there are ways in the classroom that we could get our feet and minds moving! Thanks for these WONDERful ideas! :)

Mrs. Hess' Class

Apr 15, 2013

Thoughts: I think that exercise can make you smarter based on this text. (Brandon)
I think in 15-30 minutes of exercise daily can really improve your brain. (Isaiah)
Connections: This reminds me of an earlier wonder because the wonder was titled "How Many Ways can you Exercise?" (Joaquin)
This reminds me of when an earlier wonder about being left or right brained because you can exercise your brain to become smarter. (Maria)
Predictions: Why do they call it a kick (you get a "kick" out of it?) (Jake)
Where does soccer come from? (Leslie)
How do you get a headstart on your day? (Andrew)
What is self defense? (Briahna)
What is football? (Shalize)